Expressions of interest (EOI’s) are being sought for principal consultants to put forward design teams to kick-off work on the AUD$250m North Queensland Stadium.

The proposed North Queensland Stadium is to be located in the Townsville City Waterfront Priority Development Area, on a piece of vacant land between Ross Creek and Saunders Street, adjacent to Townsville CBD.

The 25,000-seat stadium will become the new ‘home’ of the North Queensland Cowboys NRL team. The team’s current home, Willows Sports Complex (also referred to as 1300Smiles Stadium) is a converted greyhound racing track, located 15km from Townsville CBD.

The Queensland government is conducting a two-stage EOI and design tender process for the proposed stadium.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for State Development, Dr Anthony Lynham, said the project’s first tender marked an important milestone in the delivery of the stadium.

PremierPalaszczuk said:

I want to pay tribute to the people of Townsville and north Queensland for working with my Government to push this project forward.

In addition to the $140 million my Government confirmed in the State Budget in June, together we were able to convince the Turnbull Government to match Federal Labor’s commitment of $100 million during the election campaign.

The North Queensland Stadium will create hundreds of jobs in the construction phase alone and provide a vital boost to the local economy and community.

Dr Lynham said as well as the first tender, local contractors would be able to register their interest to work on the project online. He added:

The whistle’s blown and we’re underway on the biggest job-creating project in North Queensland in decades.

This project will create 750 construction jobs and the over-riding theme is local – local jobs, local businesses, local alliances.

From the initial EOIs we’ll select a shortlist of consortia to submit a concept design for the new stadium as part of a design tender.

We want consortia that use local businesses, form local alliances and identify opportunities for local industry innovation.

That means opportunity for local consultants to team up with leading sports designers to be part of this exciting project – and a concept design for the people of North Queensland before Christmas.

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland and stadium champion, Coralee O’Rourke, welcomed the Call for Tenders, which follows key discussion in Townsville last week on the Federal Government’s City Deal.

Mrs O’Rourke confirmed:

The Townsville Stadium is an absolute game changer for the entire North Queensland region and for the past 18 months, we have been working incredibly hard to make it a reality.

I know Townsville needs jobs and as part of our tender process, bidders will need to detail opportunities for local industry and business, to keep jobs local and help bring confidence back to our region.

This crucial piece of infrastructure is a priority in my Advancing North Queensland strategy to grow and diversify the northern economy, and I am pleased we are now one step closer.

This will mean important work for North Queensland’s building and construction industry, but in the longer term it’s also about diversifying our economy.

In the future, footy fans will come to a North Queensland Cowboys game and stay for a holiday and the North will be able to attract a variety of events that will attract new visitors and investment to the region.

The project is on schedule for construction early works to start on site in mid-2017 and the project will be completed in time for the 2020 NRL season

Project background

In September 2013, a feasibility study for a new sport, entertainment and convention facility in Townsville was produced by consultants KPMG, with indicative designs for the stadium by COX Architecture. Although the entertainment and convention facility is not part of the current EOI, shortlisted consortia will be required to include provisions for an entertainment centre in their concept designs.

The business case identified a 25,000-seat, best-practice, regional stadium as the preferred stadium option to pursue.

The vision: To develop a vibrant new stadium that attracts visitors and investment, celebrates Townsville’s tropical climate, values the water’s edge environment, delivers high-quality public spaces and supports urban regeneration.

Objectives: It is anticipated the North Queensland Stadium will:

Become a nationally-recognised sports stadium with world-class sustainable urban design and architecture, establishing a clear identity that is uniquely ‘North Queensland’

Stimulate broad investment and economic development in the long-term future of Townsville as a major regional city, underpinned by its sporting excellence, distinct tourism offerings and strong and diverse local economy

Transform and activate places and spaces as an urban attraction that draw people to Townsville’s city heart

Promote active experiences, social interaction and a broad range of sporting and cultural activities

Key personnel from both COX Architecture and KPMG will be in attendance at our Stadia & Arena Asia Pacific conference and exhibition being held at the Yokohama Arena from September 26 to 28. Make sure to secure your place at this must-attend event by registering online at: www.SAEvents.uk.com

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